A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Donald “Don” Francis Carabine on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Fr. William Blanda will serve as celebrant. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, beginning at 8:00 a.m. until the time of services. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m.
Don passed away at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the age of 85.
Don had a true love for life and for the people he met along the way. He especially loved the water and spent many wonderful years aboard his sailboat, “Aolis.” Whether sailing or simply spending time near the water, it was something that brought him great happiness throughout his life.
He was also an avid sports fan, especially when it came to his beloved Philadelphia Eagles and the other Philadelphia teams. Don had a passion for horses as well. He owned horses and raised thoroughbreds, and he loved the excitement of horse racing and the derbies.
Don enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, but Clearwater, Florida, was always his favorite. His most precious memories were made there with his loving wife and family. Throughout his working life, Don enjoyed helping build and grow small companies. Over the years, he worked for Hershey, Blue Runner Foods, and many other companies, taking pride in helping businesses grow and succeed.
More than anything, Don was a people person. He had a way of making friends wherever he went and was loved and well-liked by seemingly everyone who had the opportunity to know him. His outgoing nature and ability to connect with people left a lasting impression on countless friends, coworkers, and acquaintances throughout his life.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Ellen LeLeux Carabine; his daughters, Kathleen Dowd (Charlie), Lisa Wisniewski (Joe), and Suzanne Arfuso (Stephen); his stepson, Kipp LeBlanc (Molly); and his stepdaughters, Ashley Hauser (Allan) and Shaina LeBlanc-Schexnayder (Brett).
He is also survived by his brother, George Carabine III (Judith); his sisters, Madeline Karpinski and Nancy Idell (Jack); along with his grandchildren, Amanda Lampkin, Samantha Krushinski, Zachary Greenwald, Grace Wisnewski, Michelle Somers, Nicole Lagerman, Emily Clemenceau, and Stephen Arfuso; step-grandchildren, Alaina Hauser, Avery LeBlanc, Henri’ LeBlanc, Addison Hauser, Aiden Hauser, Emme LeBlanc, Cohen LeBlanc, and Louie Schexnayder; 10 great-grandchildren; and extended family members and many dear friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, George Carabine II and Madeline Roedig Carabine.
Pallbearers will be Kipp LeBlanc, Allan Hauser, Brett Schexnayder, Steve Sonnier, Elliot Leleux, and Brett Abshire. Honorary pallbearers will be Henri LeBlanc and Aiden Hauser.
Don will be deeply missed by his family, his many friends, and all those whose lives he touched. He will be remembered for his love of the water, sports, horses and travel, but most of all for the friendships he made everywhere he went and the way people simply enjoyed being around him.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the Carabine family by visiting Don’s memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements
